Long before NHL fans got a glimpse of Alexander Ovechkin take the ice. There was the Original Alexander The Great, #89 Alexander Mogilny. A wide-eyed super talent who defected from then Communist Soviet Union and joined the Buffalo Sabres at the tender age of 19. The culture shock and the Sabres failture to give him ample icetime probably prevented him from winning the Calder Trophy. But in 1993, the NHL witnessed the Russian's coming out party. Ironically his paralled another future Hall Of Famer Teenu Selanne. Playing alongside star center Pat Lafontaine and veteran superstar Dale Hawerchuck, Mogilny exploded for 76 goals and a superstar was born. Following seasons continued to see him consistantly score 45-50 goals. Despite playing in a clutch-and-grab era, his speed and agility where unmatched. One can only imagine and salvate at the astronomical point totals he would've accumulated had be played with Mario Lemieux. He would've undoubtedly dethroned Jari Kurri as the greatest scoring linemate.

Alexander was well on his way to becoming the first Russian born and trained player to score 500 and amass 1,000 points. He ended up going one for two. After winning the Stanley Cup with New Jersey in 2001, the Injury Bug hit him hard. Various injuries including one to his hip dramaticly put the brakes on his Lightning-fast skates. Yet, in 990 games he still managed 473 goals/559 assists and 1032 points. It could've been way more. And the fact that he was cheated out of being called the greatest Russian this side of Ovechkin will always sting. But he has a Stanley Cup. And a future home in Toronto in The Hockey Hall Of Fame. At least he should.